A former Powys County Councillor has been disqualified for 18 months after a public standards watchdog found they broke the code of conduct.
Karen Laurie-Parry represented the ward of Bronllys, near Brecon from 2017 to 2022.
The Adjudication Panel for Wales held a hearing into the allegations last week.
The Ombudsman report concerned a complaint, alleging that the former councillor had disclosed confidential information and made vexatious complaints without foundation, amongst other allegations.
As a result, the report on the investigation was referred to the President of the Adjudication Panel for Wales.
The investigation found the former councillor's conduct had breached paragraphs 4(b), 4(c), 5(a), 6(1)(a) and 6(1)(d) of the Code of Conduct.
The paragraphs breached are:
• You must show respect and consideration for others
• You must not not use bullying behaviour or harass any person
• You must not disclose confidential information or information which should reasonably be regarded as being of a confidential nature, without the express consent of a person authorised to give such consent, or unless required by law to do so
• You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute
• You must not make vexatious, malicious or frivolous complaints against other members or anyone who works for, or on behalf of, your authority
The Panel concluded that the former member should be disqualified for 18 months from being or becoming a member of the authority or of any other relevant authority.
The Ombudsman welcomed the decision to disqualify the councillor and thanked the members of the Adjudication Panel for Wales for their careful consideration of the case.
Ms Laurie-Parry told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I have to respect the decision even though it saddens me that the Adjudication Panel hearing took place behind closed doors.
“The pressure I have been under has affected my mental health and wellbeing.
“It’s an experience I don’t want to go through again and I don’t intend standing for election in the future.”
The role of the Adjudication Panel for Wales is to consider whether elected members of councils and public authorities have breached their statutory code of conduct.
Ms Laurie-Parry also stood in Brecon and Radnorshire constituency as an Independent candidate in the 2021 Wales Senedd elections.